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Tuesday, September 8, 2009

my heart is with her

Separation from someone you love is never easy. Especially when it's your child. My baby goes off to school tomorrow, and my emotions are running a bit high right now. I've never really done this with a young child. We homeschooled her older brother until he was seven, and then he just jumped right in. I definitely cried. This feels different. She seems so little and very grown up all at once. I had to make her something sweet for this moment. Something to take with her, to feel my love at her side. I did this for me, just as much as I did it for her. This little lavender-filled sachet can be worn as a necklace resting close to her own heart... or tucked into her "big girl" back pack. I thought I'd include the instructions... you may know someone that needs a little bit of your love close to them, too. These would also make wonderful Valentine's gifts, party favors, present toppers, stocking stuffers, etc.

(I just won't be making any for my almost 11 year old son. "I already know you love me, mom... and well , come on!" Yeah, I know. )

Lavender Heart on a String

Materials

2 felt hearts (mine were cut from a recycled sweater)

strand of elastic cording: choose a length that feels right for the recipiant size

optional covered button (mine was hand-covered with matryoshka linen from this shop)

several spoonfuls of dried lavender

thread

Make

If you use a covered button, make a tiny slit in the center of one heart. I made mine too large and had to sew it up a wee bit to keep the lavender from peeking out.

Thread cord through button and pull both ends throught the front heart's hole.

Pull cord tight and place both ends coming out on either side of the heart curves sandwiched between the front and back pieces. Pin in place. If you didn't use a button, simply pin your cord in place sandwiched between the two hearts.

Sew around the heart leaving a little opening on the pointy bottom (see picture). Use a blanket stitch for hand-sewing and a zigzag for the machine, if you need one in a hurry!

Stuff with lavender.

Sew the opening closed.

Add beads if you'd like. Felted ball beads would be sweet. I kept mine simple. Knot the two ends.

Note: thank you so much for giving your hearts to my last post. There were so many insightful comments, that I've put a link to it in my sidebar. Now, you can click on it if you're ever needing a little inspiration. I will leave the comments open, and you can continue adding to the list of how you love each day.

Yes, I have suggested these to parents too - even with a photo stitched on the front, even as a little tiny drawstring bag that contains a special crystal. The lavender is a nice touch: a sweet smell to go with the sweet thought of mummy.

It is a symbol of love for mother daughter relationship she is leaving you for school for some hours you are feeling emotional.The Time she will get married and will leave you forever what will you do.Just keep your emotions and feelings for that special moment.Lavender Heart is a simply memorable gift for her she will remember it forever that how much you do love her.Love has no words.

This is just so so lovely and precious!It reminds me of this sweet book, "Oh My Baby, Little One." Have you read it? My children love looking for the little red heart representing mama's love that is always with the little boy as he goes through his school day.

Oh, this almost made me cry! And my 4 "babies" all started school LONG ago! But this is SOOOO sweet. My mum is coming to visit from Australia in a few weeks, so maybe I'll get my daughter to make her one of these to take home with her. Hope this week goes well for you..

My soon to be five year old grand children went off to Kindergarden recently...they live in a different town so I didn't see them off...their mom said they did fine...they like it, are old troopers as they'd been in pre-school since age two...but just the same my heart is with them every day.

Your little button heart is sweet and I bet helps her transistion just fine. I hope you are wearing one around your neck as well.

This is beautiful, I love it!And I use to kiss Leah's hand before she went to school too...one day in K... she fell and got hurt.. the teacher told her to wash her hand and then she would put on a bandaid. She got sooo upset...it will be ok she told the teacher...my momma already kissed it! She is soo cute. The teacher called me and asked if I wanted to pick her up or at least tell her to wash it.Loads of love to you and your little ones...even the one who thinks he is not little...(*Ü*)♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Hi Maya, I read this post this morning as I was starting my day, and LOVED the idea...and since today was my little girl's first ever day of playgroup, I grabbed some lavender stuffed felt hearts that I had made last winter as Valentines gifts and stuffed one in her pocket. Such a soft sweet thing to send her off with! Thanks so much for the inspiration. I blogged about it today as well!

This is a beautiful idea. My munchkin starts prep next year, so I can relate to how you feel. Thanks for posting the pattern - I'm inspired to make one for her also but I'll probably put her prep symbol of a butterfly on it...

Beautiful.I'm making a little heart for Poppy to take to school next year, I never thought about making it into a necklace though.Too perfect! I'm going to send one to a friend as well as love & buttons are very close to her heart...XXxx

This is such a cute idea. My little niece is going to Germany for two weeks. I will miss her very much. I see her everyday and I think I will make one for her to take with her so she can keep me close to her heart. I think I will put it on a necklace for her. :)

I just want to say Thank-You for this idea! You inspired me to create one something like it. I hope you will check out my blog and see the finished project. I also mentioned your blog to let people know where I got the idea. Hope you have a wonderful week!Tammy Lorene

Hi,I'm a first time visitor you your blog and so glad a stopped by, what a wonderful little place you have here in cyberspce. I am adding you to my links. Oh and the heart ... what a sweet project, I love it. Happy day to you.

Your project came in handy this morning, when my son declared that he didn't want to go to school today, on this his second day of school. Well, we whipped up a little mushroom-shaped lavender sachet necklace for him to wear to school to remember me by. He was so proud of our collaboration and made the first classmate he encountered take a sniff. Thanks for the inspiration!

That is beautiful! I love that the pp made one for her son as well. Can you imagine dropping her off and seeing another child with the same heart around their neck?!? I just love this, I'll be linking. Congratulations on her first day. I can't even imagine how difficult it is, but what a huge accomplishment for you both!